Archit Navandar

Effects of different swimming race constraints on turning movements

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different swimming race constraints on the evolution of turn parameters. One hundred and fifty-eight national and regional level 200-m (meters) male swimming performances were video-analyzed using the individualized-distance model in the Open Comunidad de Madrid tournament. Turn (p<.001, ES=0.36) and underwater distances (p<.001, ES=0.38) as well as turn velocity (p<.001, ES=0.69) significantly dropped throughout the race, although stroke velocity and underwater velocity were maintained in the last lap of the race (p>.05). Higher expertise swimmers obtained faster average velocities and longer distances in all the turn phases (p<.001, ES=0.59), except the approach distance. In addition, national level swimmers showed the ability to maintain most of the turn parameters throughout the race, which assisted them in improving average velocity at the end of races. Therefore, the variations in the turning movements of a swimming race were expertise-related and focused on optimizing average velocity. Turning skills should be included in the swimming race action plan.

Analysis of mismatch after ball screens in Spanish professional basketball

Abstract In basketball, the ball screen has been described as one of the most important and successful forms of finishing a play, and this could generate a mismatch when defenders in a man-to-man defensive setup switch their assigned markers. This study aimed to determine (1) which players benefit the most in the case of a mismatch and (2) how does the duration of action affect the mismatch. A total of 698 situations of mismatch after ball screens from 40 matches of the 2015–2016 regular season of the male Spanish professional Basketball League (ACB) were quantitatively analysed. The results found that although inside players were the ones who finished the action more often, the duration was a crucial factor. An action that lasted under five seconds favoured the offence, with the outside players benefitting the most in such a situation. However, if the offence failed to finish the action in the first four seconds, the mismatch favoured the defence, as they had more time to organise themselves to counter the threats posed by the offence. Thus, the mismatch can be used as an effective defensive strategy, if cleverly executed.

Effect of functional classification on the swimming race segments during the 2012 London Paralympic Games

Abstract The aims of the present research were (1) to characterise the individualised race segments configuration (start, turn and free swimming) of Paralympic swimmers and (2) to examine the influence of the swimmers’ functional classification on their race segments configuration. Finalists (248 men and 264 women) in the 100 m swimming events of the 2012 London Paralympic Games were distributed in five different subgroups based on their functional class designation and race performances were video-analysed with 2D-DLT algorithms. The start and turn distances of Paralympic swimmers in the 100 m events did not coincide with the traditional 10–15 m segments and they depended on the swimmer’s functional group (η2 = 0.48), as longer start and turn distances were observed according to the lower degree of impairment of swimmers. However, no differences were observed in the start and turn distances of the least physically impaired, the visually and the intellectually impaired swimmers (S8–S14), regardless of the stroke and gender. These results indicate that, in terms of the race segments configuration, there is no evidence to support the classification of S8–S14 swimmers in different functional classes.

A PREVIOUS HAMSTRING INJURY AFFECTS THE KICKING TECHNIQUE AND THIS IS INFLUENCED BY GENDER AND LIMB DOMINANCE

Background Although the hamstring muscle group gets loaded during the kicking motion, the effect of a previous hamstring injury on the kicking skill has not been studied in detail. Objective To the study the effect of a previous hamstring injury on the kicking technique, and how gender and limb dominance influences the same. Design Observational study. Participants were required to kick the ball into a target 7 m away using a four step run-up. Five valid kicks were taken from the dominant and non-dominant limb each. Setting Laboratory conditions on FIFA approved artificial turf, with a three-dimensional Vicon motion capture system at 200Hz and a Kistler force platform at 1000Hz. with participants belonging to Spanish First (women) and Second (men) Division teams. Participants 45 professional soccer players (females=26, males=19) who belonged to clubs that had the same number of training sessions and matches per week. Main Outcome Measurements Ball velocities, kinematic and kinetic data for the hip and knee of the kicking leg in the sagittal plane, and the reaction forces for the ground and the support leg. 3-way ANOVA was used to compare the data. Results Previously injured female athletes had a lower peak hip velocity in the dominant limb kicks; and a smaller knee flexion angle, and a lower hip flexion velocity in the non-dominant limb kicks. Conclusions Kicking technique is affected by a previous hamstring injury in females especially in phases where the hamstring muscles are the most active. Differences in male soccer players were not seen. Thus these injuries must be treated differently in male and female soccer players, and whether the injury occurred in the dominant or non-dominant limb. An additional study with a greater number of previously injured athletes would be necessary to provide conclusive results.